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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 1997 Page 6 • 1 Dennis Palmer, Barr Engineering, stated the City had hired him in 1992 to perform a study of 2 surface water drainage problems in district #6 of St. Anthony. Based on his experience and 3 data supplied by the City, a computer model was formed. Different solutions were then 4 applied to the model. This resulted in three options. The first option was to do nothing in 5 terms of structure but_ to react in terms of moratoriums and zoning. This was the cheapest 6 alternative. The second alternative was to increase the capacity of the outlet trunk in New 7 Brighton Boulevard. This was not possible as it was determined that there is no capacity 8 available for the City of St. Anthony as it is being used to capacity by other cities. It was 9 then determined to build a new pipe from Lowry Avenue and Highway 88 down to the 10 freeway to augment the capacity of the pipe. This option would cost $12 to $16, million. The 11 third option was to build a.storage pond to hold the water until the capacity is available in the 12 pipe. The combination of a storage pond and selective pipe capacity increase would allow for 13 an increase in capacity to handle a 100 year storm event. 14 These three options were then presented and at that time several citizens came forward and 15 stated they felt the City could not afford the dollar amounts. They felt the City needed to 16 deal with the issue in the form of a non-structural solution. It has been suggested that the 17 area be declared a flood hazard zone to enable residents to purchase flood insurance. The 18 FEMA has stated it is not possible to declare an area a flood zone when the flooding is 19 occurring due to inadequate storm sewer capacity. 20 Mr. Palmer stated that he had been asked to attend the meeting this evening to explain the • 21 results of the 1992 study and also to answer questions. He was not here to defend the City. 22 The City is concerned and frustrated with the situation. He suggested a consensus process is 23 needed to help people understand what alternatives are available and to provide feedback to 24 the City of what solution is acceptable. He suggested that if it were necessary to purchase 10 25 to 18 homes, it may be as expensive as $10 million and it will also affect the tax base. He 26 also noted that based on the United States Weather Bureau Chart, a 100 year storm event 27 would occur if 3.5 inches of rain were received in two hours. In this storm 3.5 inches of rain 28 were received in just 28 minutes. He stated that even if the $6 million solution had been in 29 place, the July 1; 1997 storm would have exceeded the storm water capacity. 30 Mayor Ranallo noted all the homes on 34th Avenue and Edward Street have sump pumps and 31 valves and have done what they could to keep the water out of_their basements but this sends 32 all the water to the other end of town. 33 Mr. Jacobs stated this was a Band-Aid for the problem and not a solution., He felt the entire 34 community needed to work together. 35 Mr. Lohmar noted these remedies solve the issue of the storm sewer backing up but do not 36 resolve the issue of the surface water. 37 Ms. Kuharski stated she was grateful for the 1992 study. She stated she did not agree with • 38 the taking of 11 to 18 homes in the area, as many good residents would be lost as well as 39 effects on the tax base. She stated she would be willing to give up the baseball field, where